Ex-North Port commissioner convicted of drunken driving

Published: Wednesday, January 9, 2013 at 5:34 p.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, January 9, 2013 at 5:34 p.m.

NORTH PORT - Former North Port city commissioner David Garofalo was convicted of drunken driving Tuesday by an Indiana court.

Garofalo, who makes $58,672 per year as a Pasco County fire captain, was stopped by Indianapolis police in May. He is said to have driven into a ditch and gotten trapped in his vehicle when it overturned.

Garofalo told the Indianapolis officer he had consumed five beers before driving, and, according to the report, failed a series of field sobriety tests. He was given three separate breath tests, but provided an “invalid sample” each time.

Garofalo, 36, was sentenced to a year's probation and must pay $916.50 in fines and court costs.

<p><em>NORTH PORT</em> - Former North Port city commissioner David Garofalo was convicted of drunken driving Tuesday by an Indiana court.</p><p>Garofalo, who makes $58,672 per year as a Pasco County fire captain, was stopped by Indianapolis police in May. He is said to have driven into a ditch and gotten trapped in his vehicle when it overturned. </p><p>Garofalo told the Indianapolis officer he had consumed five beers before driving, and, according to the report, failed a series of field sobriety tests. He was given three separate breath tests, but provided an “invalid sample” each time. </p><p>Garofalo, 36, was sentenced to a year's probation and must pay $916.50 in fines and court costs. </p><p>He did not respond to calls seeking comment.</p><p>Garofalo's Indianapolis defense attorney Jon Haggerty declined to comment about the case. </p><p>In June, Garofalo was questioned about drinking when his estranged wife told police he showed up drunk to pick up their two children for visitation.</p><p>Last month he was charged with beating his girlfriend in the parking lot of the Tamiami Bar in Punta Gorda. </p><p>All charges were dropped weeks later. </p><p>In November, Garofalo lost his North Port City Commission District 1 Seat to political newcomer Cheryl Cook. Cook won 56 percent of the vote to Garofalo's 44 percent count.</p><p>Garofalo had served on the City Commission for four years.</p>